Qtopia’s Pride Fest Is Back And These Are The Events We’d Book First…
Qtopia Sydney’s Pride Fest is running all month, and organisers are calling it the biggest program in the festival’s history, with more than 300 events across the Oxford Street precinct. New this year is Fit N’ Proud, a sport and fitness strand backed by Bupa, sitting alongside the theatre, comedy and community nights the festival is known for. That’s a lot to sort through, so here are six we’d clear the calendar for.
Homo Grown
First up, and it’s on tonight. For one night only, the Home Grown series becomes Homo Grown, a concert of original musical theatre songs written by queer Australian writers. The bill brings together emerging and established artists, all working on new Australian material, so you’re hearing songs you won’t have caught anywhere else.
It runs 90 minutes at Qtopia’s Loading Dock Theatre on Monday 1 June from 7:30pm. For a low-key Monday, it’s an easy yes.
Pride Fest Gala
The festival’s marquee night lands on Tuesday 2 June at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst, hosted by Justin Hill across a two-hour bill. The lineup runs deep: Victoria Falconer and Kale Gare of Juicy Riot, Skank Sinatra, Karma Dance from Temple Of Desire, the cast of Nails The Musical, John Milligan of Big Gay Piano Bar and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, with more names added on the night. It also doubles as a fundraiser.
Money raised goes towards Qtopia’s exhibitions, the artists on its stages, and an education program built to reach students in regional and rural New South Wales. Donations on the night are tax deductible.
F.A.A.G: Footballers Are A Godsend
Samuel Roberts brings his hour of comedy cabaret to the Substation, the festival’s BWYASSS hub on Oxford Street, from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 June at 6pm. It’s original songs and stories about growing up queer in country football, and whether the game has room for someone like him.
The Melbourne comedian has spent three years touring festivals and also fronts the ABBA tribute show Super Troupers Live, with Wes Snelling directing here. “I’ll keep sharing my story, on a stage or off. In the hope that no one has to go through life feeling alone,” Roberts told QNews. One thing to know before you book: the venue is only reachable by a narrow flight of stairs.
Queer Sketch Club
If you’d rather make something than watch it, Guy James Whitworth’s Queer Sketch Club sets up in the basement bar at Kinselas on Wednesday 3 June from 6:45 to 9pm. A new model takes the stage each session, sometimes clothed, sometimes not. Charcoal, pencils and paper are supplied, though you’re welcome to bring your own.
It’s a group rather than a class, so beginners are looked after and the host is happy to point newcomers in the right direction. Seating isn’t reserved, so get there early for a good spot. As the club puts it, the first rule is to tell everyone about it.
Pride Ride
For the gym crowd, Pride Ride sits inside Fit N’ Proud, that new Bupa-backed fitness strand. It’s a ride session at City Gym on Friday 5 June. The festival listing points to the City Gym timetable for times and bookings, so check there to lock in a spot.
Lifesavers with Pride
Ever fancied yourself in the red and yellow? On Saturday 6 June at the Loading Dock Theatre, a panel of LGBTQIA+ surf lifesavers talk about life on and off the sand, then stick around for drinks where you can ask them anything about getting involved. It’s pitched as a no-stress intro, running 90 minutes from 2:30pm.
The numbers behind the movement are worth knowing. Surf lifesaving counts more than 198,000 members nationally and runs over 10,000 rescues a year, and Lifesavers with Pride, the peak body for LGBTQIA+ lifesavers, marched at Sydney Mardi Gras for 20 years, hitting that milestone this year.
If you want a taste first, their Our Proud Lifesavers series is on YouTube.
Tickets and the full program are at qtopiasydney.com.au. Book early for the smaller rooms, they don’t hold many.
